Weller Millennium: the latest Super Premium version of Buffalo Trace

COPY OF PRESS RELEASE provided by Buffalo Trace Distillery:

Buffalo Trace Distillery is excited to announce Weller Millennium, a one-of-a-kind ultra-aged whiskey from the Original Wheated Bourbon brand. This category-defining innovation is comprised of a blend of vintage straight bourbon and wheat whiskeys that were distilled at the turn of the millennium and matured at the Buffalo Trace Distillery for varying lengths of time.

As the third oldest operating distillery in the world, with roots dating back to 1773, the Buffalo Trace Distillery (as it is known today) has been honing its craft since Kentucky was a wild, untamed frontier and the United States was just an idea. Over the centuries that followed, the site changed hands numerous times, but one thing always remained constant: it was the place where authentic American whiskey was created.

FAST FACTS

• LIQUID COMPOSITION: Blend of pure bourbon and wheat whiskeys distilled 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006
• EVIDENCE:99
• PRICE: $7,500
• RELEASE: June 2024
• AVAILABILITY: Limited domestic and global markets

At the turn of the millennium, the distillery found itself once again in a period of transformation and drawing inspiration from its ancestors. A pioneer in the industry, the distilling team chose to pay homage to WL Weller by reserving some of the first whiskeys distilled in the new millennium for the sole purpose of creating this extraordinary innovation.

“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, our motto is “Honor Tradition, Embrace Change.” said Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “As we constantly seek to produce the finest whiskey in the world, we often hold back small batches of barrels to continue aging beyond our brand’s usual standards, in the hope that this aging experimentation results in a matured and particularly balanced. In this case, we found the whiskey distilled in 2000 to have incredible balance and wondered how the wheat would fare as an ultra-aged spirit. It has proven to be an impeccable backbone of this expression, allowing us to showcase the versatility of wheat and innovate beyond traditional wheat bourbon.

A blend of pure vintage bourbon and wheat whiskeys distilled in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006, Weller Millennium highlights the impact of wheat on the flavor of the whiskey: the sweetness imparted by wheat creates a softer, sweeter and more expressive expression. accessible. By marrying these exceptional spirits, the whiskeys further integrate and harmonize with each other, creating a cohesive and balanced end product that is greater than the sum of its parts.

“In the 1840s, William Larue Weller created a legendary legacy by being one of the first to use wheat as an ingredient, making Weller the world’s original wheat bourbon. Using wheat instead of rye in the mashbill brought exceptional accessibility with complexity of flavor,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Today, wheat-based recipes make up some of the world’s most coveted whiskeys, among which Weller has gained global recognition as the most awarded brand from the world’s most awarded distillery. Having patiently waited for these exceptional whiskeys to reach our standard, we are pleased to present Weller Millenium as the pinnacle expression of the brand. This world-class expression captures the spirit of the incredible optimism felt at the turn of the millennium, while charting a path into the future as a world-renowned wheat brand.

TASTING NOTES (Brand provided): On the nose, Weller M exhibits rich notes of caramel and toffee, indicating prolonged interaction with oak barrels that lead to oak woodiness, with layers of depth and complexity resulting from years of maturation. Subtle but distinct notes of dried fruit, like figs or raisins, and a touch of stone fruit persist throughout. Sweet caramel notes linger on the palate and finish with a significant woody influence, imparting a subtle dryness and a lingering feeling of refinement.

In a presentation tailored to the liquid it contains, Weller Millennium is housed in a handcrafted 750ml crystal decanter with a bespoke crystal top hand engraved with WL Weller’s original ‘W’ seal of quality . An illuminated screen surrounds the Bottled at 99° with exactly 99 bursts while sharing the percentages of each vintage spirit inside the bottle.

Weller Millenium will be released in limited quantities through the U.S. and global distributor networks, which will be shipped to retailers, bars and restaurants beginning in June 2024 at the recommended retail price of $7,500 (750 ml); taxes vary by market. It joins the Weller portfolio including Weller Special Reserve, Weller Antique 107, Weller 12-Year-Old, Weller Full Proof, Weller CYPB (“Craft Your Perfect Bourbon”) and Weller Single Barrel; Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat, from his experimental line; and William Larue Weller, which is released each fall as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique collection.

For the latest Bourbon news, visit www.gobourbon.com

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